It's time to Feast!

Wednesday

It's the most wonderful time of the year. New Bedford's biggest block party/family reunion/music festival/food fest is here.

Make your plans to ensure you get the most fun out of each night of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.

What: 104th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament

When: Aug. 2-5

Where: 50 Madeira Ave, New Bedford

Online: feastoftheblessedsacrament.com

The Rundown

Opening:

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament commences Thursday with the assembly of the Festeiros (Feast Committee Members) at the intersection of Earle Street and Acushnet Avenue. Led by the Feast President, the Festeiros march in a special procession down Earle Street to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church which is located at the corner of Earle Street and Madeira Avenue. At the church, Father Daniel O. Reis celebrates a special Benediction to the Blessed Sacrament.

Food and Drink:

Traditional Madeiran Portuguese dinner with numerous menu choices for full dinners in the main pavilion. Cook-you-own barbecue beef (carne d’espeto), sweet malassadas (fried dough) plus linguica (sausage) and baccalau (codfish) sandwiches. Hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries. Madeira wine imported in giant casks by special agreement with the Madeiran Government. New this year is a craft beer station.

Entertainment:

Continuous live entertainment on four stages featuring contemporary artists plus cabaret style music and Fado singers in the Courtyard Café at the Museum of Madeiran Heritage.

Thursday headliner, Queensryche

Friday headliner, Wild Nites

Saturday headliner, Eratoxica

Sunday headliner, Ultimate Queen Celebration

Plus:

Kids day with kid-themed activities, face painting and more, along with half-price senior specials on Saturday afternoon

Free admission to the Museum of Madeiran Heritage

Largest and longest parade in New Bedford starting at Brooklawn Park Sunday at 2 p.m.